Wedding Stories - Toronto Documentary Wedding Photographer

October 17, 2013January 15, 2015

Lindsey & Tyler // Documentary Wedding Photography Hamilton

janice yi photography documentary wedding photography hamilton

Lindsey & Tyler tied the knot on a gorgeous day in September.

Lindsey got ready at her parents’ house with her sisters, and her closest friends.

While Tyler hung out with the boys at their house.

There was a really sweet First Look with just the two of them.

A beautiful outdoor ceremony was had;

And then a delicious dinner with funny & heartwarming speeches (including some hilarious stories about Tyler).

Dancing to celebrate followed after dinner.

What a day it was! They had one another, amazing friends, loved ones, great food & great music.

Congratulations you guys! Thank you for being so genuine & kind and treating me like a friend.

But most of all, thank you for having me along on your special day, to capture memories with photographs, and to tell stories.

Here’s the story of Lindsey & Tyler’s wedding day.

The Wedding team:

Planning & Reception decor: DIY – Tyler’s cousin Sacha (So Pretty Occasions) & Lindsey’s parents

Venue: Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club

Bride’s dress: Moonlight Bridal

Makeup artist: Jade – Vicki Millar Makeup

Flowers: Blooms & Posies

DJ: The Sounds DJ

Desserts & Pastries: Cake and Loaf Bakery

October 10, 2013April 19, 2016

Kelly & Mike // Orangeville Wedding Photography

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” – Khalil Gibran

This is a quote Kelly sent me after she read my Iceland post. This, along with several other quotes she loves were displayed at her and Mike’s wedding. It kind of sums up how she feels about life she said.

“Dear Janice” was how Kelly’s first email to me started, funny enough I received her email while we were in Iceland.

“My fiancé and I decided on a short engagement as we wanted something simple and will be getting married at my parents’ home in the country near Orangeville.”

Right from that first email, I had a feeling that things would work out. Sometimes you just know. A handful of emails and a meeting in person further cemented that feeling. And their wedding day? Even though it rained and poured early on, it was simply wonderful. I witnessed so much love and joy. I know I go on about this all the time, but only because it’s true.

I’m going to share how Kelly & Mike met, because it’s one of my favourite stories. They ended up next to each other alphabetically at their Master’s convocation ceremony at the University of Toronto. Mike had no intention to sit through a stuffy convocation ceremony but luckily his parents made him go. They talked through the entire ceremony, but it wasn’t until Mike started cracking jokes that Kelly really started to fall for him. After the ceremony they got separated and didn’t even get to say goodbye. But with his name and degree on the program, Kelly tracked him down and sent him an email the next day, and had butterflies all day. This is what Mike said about that: I knew Kelly was the one when I woke up the day after meeting her and received that email.

Thank you, seriously, thank you for not only letting me do what I do, but for caring about what I do. I can only hope that these photos do the day justice.

Here is the story of Kelly & Mike’s wedding day.

The Wedding team:

Venue: Kelly’s parents’ backyard near Orangeville, ON.

Decor/Flowers: pretty much everything DIY by Kelly & her amazing bridesmaids

Makeup artist: Lindsay Dagenais

Kelly’s dress/shoes: Pearl Bridal House/J.Crew

Mike’s suit: Sussman’s

Music: Old School

Catering: Robin’s Catering

September 27, 2013April 19, 2016

Hayley & Mark // Pipers Heath Wedding

So here’s the deal. Here’s what happens when I photograph your wedding: I will smile, giggle, laugh and tear up with you. We will hug at the end of the night. Then I will go home and smile, giggle, laugh and tear up all over again when I go through and edit your photos. This was definitely the case with Hayley & Mark.

It rained a little on their wedding day, but that didn’t matter. Not when you are about to marry the love of your life and your best friend. You only needed one look at them to feel and share their palpable excitement and joy. I adore how much they adore each other.

Thank you H & M: for inviting me into one the most special days in your life, for trusting me to document it and create memories for you. It was truly a wonderful and heartfelt celebration. Here’s Hayley & Mark’s beautiful Pipers Heath wedding.

Mark checking the weather network app for updates on the rain :)

The Wedding team + other info:

Venue: Piper’s Heath Golf Club

Hair: Salon Bardot

Makeup: Seriously.Makeup (by Tanya Mitchell-Bender)

Bride’s dress: Becker’s Bridal

Bride’s shoes: Beholden Bridal on Etsy

Cupcakes: Flour Girls

Ceremony music: Duo d’Amore

DJ: Maximum DJ

Processional music: Falling Slowly

First dance song: Into the Mystic (Glen Hansard cover)

September 20, 2013April 20, 2016

Amber & Alex Elope // Elopement Photographer Toronto

Amber & Alex eloped on a bright sunny day in late August.

Amber’s sister and Alex’s mom stood with them as witnesses.

Then there was me, with a camera in hand.

It was really intimate and sweet, and the whole experience was interwoven with Alex’s jokes.

Which was bad at times because he made me laugh so hard I couldn’t focus my camera.

Oh the love they have for each other.

I firmly believe that a wedding is about the people, and the marriage, not the institution or the industry of weddings.

So cheers to doing things your own way you guys!

Here is the story of Amber & Alex’s elopement.

P.S. Amber’s beautiful bouquet was from Coriander Girl!

September 3, 2013November 24, 2016

Alton Mill Wedding: Sarah & Sean | Toronto Wedding Photography

Rustic Elegant Alton Mill wedding | Featured on The Wedding Co.

Sarah & Sean had a beautiful Alton Mill wedding in Caledon early last month (you can also check out their Woodbine beach engagement session). After a week of rainy and humid weather, the Saturday came and it was just right for an outdoor wedding: a little bit of sun, and a little bit of breeze.

Sarah was beautiful in a lace gown and Sean was dashing in a three-piece suit and bow tie. The lovely Laura and her team from Marvelle Events styled the wedding with rustic yet elegant touches.

Christiane from Ceremonies to Remember crafted a personalized ceremony with Sarah and Sean with tidbits about what it was that originally attracted them to each other, the obstacles that they have since overcome in their relationship, and the future that is to come. They exchanged vows as they exchanged rings. It was also here that I heard one of the most beautiful and moving readings of Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XVII by a dear friend of theirs. For the icing on the cake, their adorable pooch Duke made a guest appearance during the ceremony.

And that was just the ceremony.

Here is the story of Sarah & Sean’s wedding day.

Congratulations you two! Wishing you a life time of happiness together.

The Wedding Team:

Ceremony & Reception venue: Alton Mill Arts Centre

Prep location: Millcroft Inn & Spa

Event coordination/Styling/DJ Entertainment: Marvelle Events

Wedding Cinematography: Patrick Hodgson

Officiant: Christiane Bristow | Ceremonies to Remember

Flowers: Parsons Florist

Hair stylist: Michelle Ang

Catering/Cake/Dessert table: Gourmandissimo

August 1, 2013November 24, 2016

Auberge du Pommier Wedding // Helen & Adam

Remember this sweet couple and their engagement session? Helen and Adam had a beautiful Auberge du Pommier wedding on a sunny day in May. It was an intimate and heartwarming celebration with their nearest & dearest.

I must confess that as a photographer, of all the different weddings I shoot, the smaller, more intimate weddings have a very special place in my heart (perhaps partly because that’s what M and I had). They are more relaxed, more intimate, allowing you to actually be able to spend some time with your guests, and focus on being present for that special day. It doesn’t just blur past you, and it doesn’t have to be.

I don’t even know what else to say, but that the people I get to meet, and the stories I get to tell, that’s what it’s all about.

Thank you, Helen & Adam, for being genuine, authentic, for being you; for being in love the way you are; for loving the way you do, each other, and your friends and family; and most of all, for inviting me into your story and trusting me to tell it. Here’s to love & laughter. xoxo

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Auberge du Pommier

Bride’s hair: Krista Lynn Samek

Bride’s makeup: Suzanne Mckay

Cake: I Do! Wedding Cakes